Nepal Trekking Scandal

I just returned from the Three Passes trek, exhausted but exhilarated. The Himalayas are breathtaking, but what happened next left me fuming. I wanted to tackle the Manaslu Circuit next, but suddenly, I hit a wall: guides are now mandatory. No more freedom to wander alone. It’s not about safety—locals whispered it’s a money grab by big agencies, squeezing every last rupee from travelers like me. I started searching for a guide, hoping for someone genuine—local, knowledgeable, not a glorified butler. But the reality? Most guides barely spoke English, and some acted like I was helpless, insisting on ordering my food and even carrying my water bottle. It felt like a performance for tourists, not a real cultural exchange. The worst part? I met a fellow trekker who paid double for a guide who vanished halfway through the trek, leaving her stranded in a remote village. The scenery is still magical: mist curling over ancient monasteries, the silence broken only by distant yak bells. But the industry is changing, and not for the better. What used to be a spiritual journey now feels like a tourist trap, with local culture packaged and sold to the highest bidder. I left with mixed feelings—awed by the mountains, but frustrated by the system. Has Nepal’s trekking scene lost its soul? #NepalTrek #TravelTruth #ManasluCircuit #TouristTrap #HikingAdventures #Travel